PTSD service dogs are helpful companions that are trained to provide relief and assistance to individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. These dogs are highly trained to provide assistance to their owners, and there are a number of different tasks that a PTSD service dog might be able to complete. It’s important to understand PTSD service dog training if you are considering adding one of these reliable canine helpers to your treatment plan.
What Is a PTSD Service Dog?
A PTSD service dog is a type of psychiatric service dog. PTSD service dogs are trained to help relieve the symptoms of PTSD, including moments of anxiety, panic, and flashbacks. For many individuals, having a PTSD service dog at their side provides comfort, and their dog will be trained to perform helpful tasks that enable them to go about their daily lives more easily.
Tasks PTSD Service Dogs Help With
PTSD service dogs can help with a variety of different tasks depending on their training and what their owner needs assistance with. In general, PTSD service dogs can help with the following:
- Retrieving medication, water, and phones for their owner
- Interrupting negative or self-harming behaviors
- Grounding their owner during panic attacks or flashbacks
- Providing deep pressure therapy
- Guarding their owner’s backs or fronts when in public
- Guiding their owner to a safe and quiet space when needed
- Checking rooms and around corners for their owners
- Finding emergency help for their owner when needed
Keep in mind that PTSD service dogs complete their final months of training at the side of their future owner. This enables trainers to ensure that a service dog can help with the specific tasks a person may need assistance with, personalizing the training for greater benefits.
How Do I Get a PTSD Service Dog?
If you think that you could benefit from a PTSD service dog, you will need to speak to your medical provider or a licensed mental healthcare professional to determine whether or not adding one to your treatment plan is a good idea. Once you have been approved for a service dog, you can work with local or national organizations to adopt a fully trained PTSD service dog; some organizations provide low-cost or no-cost PTSD service dogs to those in need, depending on your financial situation.
How Long Does It Take to Train a PTSD Service Dog?
Training a PTSD service dog is no easy feat, and it doesn’t happen overnight. On average, it can take between one and two years for a PTSD service dog to be fully trained. Many organizations will train purebred dogs from the time they are puppies until they are one or two years old to ensure they are able to help their owners once they are adopted.
Can I Train My Own PTSD Service Dog?
It is possible to train your own PTSD service dog. This process may take longer than adopting a fully trained dog, but it can be a lot cheaper if you cannot afford the upfront cost of adopting a trained PTSD service dog.
When training your own PTSD service dog, make sure that you have an idea of the tasks you need help with and that you consult a professional trainer or use a service dog training course.
What Are My PTSD Service Dog Rights?
Once you have a PTSD service dog in your care, it’s important to understand the rights you have with your dog. Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), you will be able to access most public and private spaces with your PTSD service dog. Individuals are only allowed to ask you two questions about your dog:
- Is this dog a service dog?
- What work or task has your dog been trained to perform?
You are not obligated to answer any other questions or provide further details about your service dog. You are also granted the right to live with your service animal in any reasonable area of housing without paying pet fees or pet rent; you will also not be subject to breed and pet restrictions.
Adding a PTSD Service Dog to Your Care Plan
PTSD service dogs are valuable companions to many, and these dogs perform a variety of tasks that can help their owners feel more at ease and comfortable in their daily lives. If you wish to add a PTSD service dog to your care plan, take the time to speak to your medical or mental healthcare provider before adopting or training your own PTSD service dog.